Think big and build tall – that’s something the people of Cologne have been doing at least since the construction of the cathedral. Things are also reaching new heights at the Cologne Zoo. The new home for the giraffes – the tallest land animals on Earth – has now opened here. The project was based on the previous enclosure from the 1960s. It underwent a complete renovation and significant expansion over approximately two years of construction at a total cost of about 6.5 million euros.

“Much more space for the animals. New, up-close views for our guests. Exciting educational experiences where visitors can learn more about the animals’ biology, the threats they face, and their conservation: The exhibit combines everything that modern zoos offer today,” said Prof. Theo B. Pagel and Christopher Landsberg, members of the Cologne Zoo’s board of directors, at the opening. In addition, the facility is linked to a giraffe conservation project in Kenya that the zoo has been supporting for some time.

High standards for tall animals – twice as much space, state-of-the-art energy efficiency
The indoor giraffe enclosure has expanded to more than 1,000 square meters through an addition and new, multifunctional layouts – nearly twice as much as before. This opens up many additional opportunities for even more behaviorally appropriate care of the world’s tallest land mammals. Examples include greater freedom of movement and access to the outdoors, nine adjustable indoor feeding baskets at “giraffe height,” the installation of a wall for medical training, and a scale for regular weight checkups. Thanks to its size and the ceiling that lets in natural light, the indoor hall represents a significant improvement in the animals’ living conditions, especially during the winter months.

The outdoor area has also nearly doubled in size. Among other features, it offers hanging feed dispensers and a watering trough that is clearly visible to visitors. In the future, Mhorr gazelles will also live in the outdoor enclosure and will be able to move freely back and forth between the adjacent black rhino enclosure and the giraffe area.

The zoo has also thought big for its visitors. Among other things, a new viewing platform has been built where visitors will be able to come “face to face” with giraffes at specific times and help feed them. The new educational concept for visitors of all ages ensures exciting “aha” moments centered on these African giants. In addition, all technical systems from the previous building have been updated to meet the latest standards and optimized for energy efficiency. This includes a connection to district heating, the installation of a solar panel system, and a green roof. And it won’t just be giraffe heads frolicking beneath it. That’s because, in addition to the giant giraffes, naked mole rats – very small animals – will soon be moving into a new indoor enclosure for the first time. Their future neighbors, the Madagascar ring-tailed mongooses – which are rarely kept in zoos – will also receive new indoor and outdoor enclosures.

Welcome “Penda” and “Maoli”: Establishing a Kordofan giraffe herd – 50 cm-long tongue, 50 km/h speed
The enclosure is designed for one male giraffe and up to three females with their young. “Penda” and “Maoli” are the first to arrive. The two seven-year-old females belong to the Kordofan giraffe subspecies (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum). They arrived in Cologne from the Dortmund Zoo earlier this week on the recommendation of the studbook coordinator for this subspecies. “Penda” was born on December 22, 2018, at the Basel Zoo in Switzerland. She moved to the Dortmund Zoo at the age of 2.5 years. “Maoli” was born on January 13, 2019, at La Fleche Zoo in France and moved to Dortmund at the age of two. The two females, who are the same age, are very close to one another, which is one reason they were moved together from the Ruhr region to the Rhineland. A male will follow soon, so that conservation breeding for this giraffe subspecies, which is threatened with extinction, can eventually begin in Cologne.

Kordofan giraffes are a subspecies of the northern giraffe. They are found in the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. Wild populations have declined sharply in recent years. According to surveys, there are now only 1,400 breeding-age Kordofan giraffes left – a dramatic decline. The main causes are habitat destruction and illegal hunting. Kordofan giraffes are slightly smaller than other giraffe subspecies. They require tree savannas, as they specialize in feeding on leaves, buds, twigs, and bark. With their tongues, which are about 50 cm long, they can reach even hard-to-reach branches. They live in small herds led by the oldest females. Kordofan giraffes grow up to 6 meters tall and weigh just under 1 metric ton. Nevertheless, they can reach speeds of more than 50 km/h when fleeing.

Cologne Zoo Supports Giraffe Conservation Project in Kenya – 200 Giraffes Again Today
To protect giraffe habitats and strengthen wild populations, Cologne Zoo has been supporting an educational project for the past three years aimed at preventing human-wildlife conflicts in the Kenyan part of the Serengeti, the Maasai Mara. Cologne Zoo contributes 15,000 euros annually to this project. Together with the Cologne-based NGO “Chance e.V.,” the zoo supports the Mara Siana Conservancy, an area of approximately 6,000 hectares managed by the local community and home to about 2,000 Maasai families. As part of the partnership, these families lease a portion of their land to the conservation project. This helps restore important migration corridors for giraffes and other wildlife. In return, the village communities receive financial support and revenue from tourism, as well as practical assistance in protecting their herds of livestock, which were previously often preyed upon by wild animals.

The Cologne Zoo funds a local teacher and works with him to develop educational materials for adults and children in order to convince the Maasai of the long-term benefits of this holistic approach, which serves everyone’s interests. The conservation project’s successes also contribute to this: According to Rimoine Ole Kararei, director of the Conservancy and chief coordinator of the work on the ground, approximately 200 giraffes now live in the Mara Siana Conservancy area – ten years ago, there were none left.